Rhinoplasty refers to any surgery which aims to reshape the nose either for cosmetic or functional reasons.
Some people chose to have a rhinoplasty because they cannot breathe through the nose (functional rhinoplasty) or to improve the look of the nose (cosmetic rhinoplasty).
In either case, the approaches to rhinoplasty are generally the same.
Two approaches can be used - either an internal approach or an external approach.
The difference is that the external approach leaves a small scar on the tip of the nose, usually imperceptible when healed.
The external approach allows greater access to the structural support of the nose and allows for greater ability to define nasal features.
Some techniques require the open approach to the nose while other can be accomplished through a closed approach.
When considering functional rhinoplasty, several areas of the nose should be addressed.
The opening of the nose, called the external valve, the middle part of the inside of the nose, called the septum, the structures on the outside wall of the inside of the nose, called turbinates, and the internal nasal valve.
Care should also be taken to evaluate the back of the nose and the adenoids as these can be enlarged and contributing to difficulty breathing through the nose.
Failure to evaluate the adenoids, in certain circumstances, can mean missing more ominous medical problems such as cancer.
Each one of these areas can contribute to difficulty breathing through the nose and may need to be addressed separately or together to get the best possible results.
When considering a cosmetic rhinoplasty, function must be maintained.
It would be imprudent to get a cosmetically perfect nose if you can't breathe through it.
Cosmetic changes should bring aesthetic improvement to the nose without causing a functional problem.
When considering rhinoplasty surgery, at times the surgeon will need to obtain either bone or cartilage to alter the supporting structure of the nose.
This bone or cartilage, often referred to as grafts, can be obtained from the skull, ear, ribs, or even the nose itself.
While most surgeries can be planned knowing that additional structural material is needed, sometimes physicians must make decisions during the operation to obtain additional supporting material.
As always, it is imperative to visit with a trained and experienced rhinoplasty surgeon when considering rhinoplasty surgery.
Risks of the procedure vary depending on the approach used, medical health of the patient, medications used by the patient, and additional graft material which must be used.
As always, your surgeon should sit down and learn your expectations, convey their experience and expected results, and go over all risks and benefits to the procedure before undertaking surgery.
Some people chose to have a rhinoplasty because they cannot breathe through the nose (functional rhinoplasty) or to improve the look of the nose (cosmetic rhinoplasty).
In either case, the approaches to rhinoplasty are generally the same.
Two approaches can be used - either an internal approach or an external approach.
The difference is that the external approach leaves a small scar on the tip of the nose, usually imperceptible when healed.
The external approach allows greater access to the structural support of the nose and allows for greater ability to define nasal features.
Some techniques require the open approach to the nose while other can be accomplished through a closed approach.
When considering functional rhinoplasty, several areas of the nose should be addressed.
The opening of the nose, called the external valve, the middle part of the inside of the nose, called the septum, the structures on the outside wall of the inside of the nose, called turbinates, and the internal nasal valve.
Care should also be taken to evaluate the back of the nose and the adenoids as these can be enlarged and contributing to difficulty breathing through the nose.
Failure to evaluate the adenoids, in certain circumstances, can mean missing more ominous medical problems such as cancer.
Each one of these areas can contribute to difficulty breathing through the nose and may need to be addressed separately or together to get the best possible results.
When considering a cosmetic rhinoplasty, function must be maintained.
It would be imprudent to get a cosmetically perfect nose if you can't breathe through it.
Cosmetic changes should bring aesthetic improvement to the nose without causing a functional problem.
When considering rhinoplasty surgery, at times the surgeon will need to obtain either bone or cartilage to alter the supporting structure of the nose.
This bone or cartilage, often referred to as grafts, can be obtained from the skull, ear, ribs, or even the nose itself.
While most surgeries can be planned knowing that additional structural material is needed, sometimes physicians must make decisions during the operation to obtain additional supporting material.
As always, it is imperative to visit with a trained and experienced rhinoplasty surgeon when considering rhinoplasty surgery.
Risks of the procedure vary depending on the approach used, medical health of the patient, medications used by the patient, and additional graft material which must be used.
As always, your surgeon should sit down and learn your expectations, convey their experience and expected results, and go over all risks and benefits to the procedure before undertaking surgery.